I'd be lying if I said a part of me isn't overjoyed at the fact the Canucks and Leafs won't be taking part in the post-season dance this year.

Before I incur the wrath of those diehard Vancouver and Toronto fans in the territory, and before you start sending me e-mails pointing out Edmonton made it into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth (trust me, I'm well aware of that fact), hear me out.

First off, as an Oilers fan, it's easy to see why the Canucks' demise put a smile on my face. It was us or them. Any true fan would see that as a simple choice.

But the main reason for my glee is the fact I'll be able to watch the Senators and Habs on TV, as well as the Oilers and Flames. Although, the fact I now hold bragging rights over several of my friends and colleagues doesn't hurt either.

The two Canadian teams which didn't make it, just happen to be the teams from the two largest centres in the country. They're the teams that the rest of us are forced to watch most often. On the West Coast, the Canucks dominate sports highlights and newspaper headlines, while Senators fans can attest to the same problem with the Leafs out East.

'Our top story this evening, Toronto held a practice this morning.' Meanwhile, Montreal is on an eight-game winning streak.

I'm actually not sure what a certain media outlet is going to do in this year's playoffs, now that the darling Leafs can't start off the playoff double-header. Their broadcasters are now frantically trying to learn the names of Ottawa's fourth-liners, or even Edmonton's second line.

Listen, I know it's all relative to the region we live in (although, that's not always the case in Ontario), and it's also about what will attract the most viewers. I understand how the media works. Anyone with half a brain can see there are at least a few Leafs fans in every arena across North America.

But let's face it, fans such as myself, who cheer for 'one of the other teams,' often have the Canucks and Leafs shoved down their throats. Unless you live in Edmonton or Ottawa, the coverage is severely limited.

And as the old saying goes, 'familiarity breeds contempt.'

That being said, there is another part of me that would prefer all six Canadian teams were in the final 16 I put that in writing earlier this season, but alas, the Hockey Gods wouldn't let it happen.

If given a choice between a team that has 10,000 fans come out for every game, with hundreds of seats empty even come playoff time (New Jersey is one example), or a team which has a wait list for tickets every season (Toronto), the answer is rather simple.

Between a team which had just 20,000 fans celebrate their Stanley Cup victory (Tampa Bay), or a team which I'm certain would garner at least 100,000 for their parade (Vancouver) ... again, a no-brainer.

If I put my personal feelings aside for a moment, I also realize the fact two of Canada's largest markets didn't make it to the post-season is probably not good news for the NHL's head office. Although on the flip side, the New York Rangers are finally back in and two of California's crews will also vie for the Cup. That can only be good news as far as revenue and ratings south of the border.

The Rangers, A.K.A. Jaromir Jagr, may not make it past the first round, but the Sharks, A.K.A. Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo, certainly look as though they could go far.

ñ

So what exactly went wrong with the Canucks and Leafs?

Lack of leadership. Plain and simple.

Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi may have turned it on the last few games, but where were they earlier in the season? Mats Sundin wasn't himself until after the Olympic break, and by that point, it was too late.

For anyone to blame it on goaltending is ludicrous. Was Ed Belfour the same this season as we saw in 2004? Maybe not. But he wasn't getting much help from a defence that was nonexistent beyond the top two most nights he played.

The team seemed to rally around Jean-Sebastien Aubin recently, but I think it was more out of desperation, the need for any kind of spark to get them going.

Alex Auld was named the Canucks' season MVP by the fans Saturday, thankfully. I'm glad they realized the young rookie, who was thrust into the starting role unexpectedly, can't win every game all by himself.

Injuries may also have played a role for the underachievers. The absence of Ed Jovanovski and Sami Salo, as well as McCabe and even Eric Lindros (hey, he had a very strong start to the season, and when he left, the Leafs were in a playoff spot) certainly hurt.

But that brings me to my final, and perhaps most important, factor. Coaching. Is it fair to pin blame on Marc Crawford and Pat Quinn, given the lineup issues they were dealt for the majority of the season? Absolutely. At least part of it.

Crawford, in my opinion, has always been somewhat lucky. He's been put in ideal situations, both in Colorado and Vancouver, with all-star players. He had Joe Sakic, Rob Blake, Peter Forsberg, and don't forget Patrick Roy, in Colorado. He had Naslund, Bertuzzi, Brendan Morrison, the Sedins and Mattius Ohlund in Vancouver.

Good coaching involves bringing a team together when the chips are down, helping the rest of the players overcome key injuries, and when Crawford faced real adversity, he failed the test.

In Toronto, Quinn has often been criticized for his loyalty to veteran players. His winning record and likable demeanor have always given him the benefit of the doubt, but this year more than any other, it became too obvious. When Tie Domi wasn't contributing, Quinn kept giving him first and second-line minutes while sitting young guys like Kyle Wellwood. It wasn't until the last few weeks of the season that Matt Stajan really got the respect he deserved.

If nothing else, it appears both men have lost the attention of their soldiers. Quinn admitted as much to the media last month and there are just too many rumours from too many sources not to believe there is something similar going on in Vancouver.

Nobody would be surprised if the Leafs and Canucks open next season with a new man behind the bench. In fact, I think most people would be shocked if they didn't.

At the same time, both teams are in line for numerous changes. Bertuzzi will probably be gone from the West Coast, something will need to be done with Cloutier, and even Naslund may decide it's time for something different.

As free agents, Daniel and Henrik Sedin (restricted) and Anson Carter (unrestricted) are in line for hefty raises in the off-season, and since Vancouver will likely try to keep all three, the new salary cap virtually ensures the Canucks will lose at least one member of their (former) 'top line.'

Similarly, Belfour has probably seen his last game as a Leaf and McCabe doesn't seem entirely keen on remaining in Toronto. Sundin, too, may decide it's time to move on, and Domi and Darcy Tucker shouldn't consider their jobs safe either.

ñ

The best news I heard last Thursday was the end of Sean Avery's tenure as a Los Angeles King.

The volatile forward has been making headlines all season, for all the wrong reasons. From his remarks about French-Canadians in the media, to his alleged racist comments against George Laraque, to his scuffle with a reporter in the team's locker room, Avery is certainly controversial.

He's also one of the most unpopular players in the league, because he won't back up his comments on the ice.

The final straw for the Kings was an incident in practice last week, between Avery and assistant coach Mark Hardy. Avery refused to perform a practice drill and then refused to leave the ice when asked.

Avery's respect for his teammates has been called into question before. He was benched by former coach Andy Murray after insulting his teammates in the media earlier this season, and don't tell me his comments on French-Canadians went over well with teammate and King's legend Luc Robitaille.

But even he hit a new low by putting himself ahead of the coaching staff and in effect, ahead of his teammates. What kind of message does that send?

Avery is capable of being a good hockey player he scored 15 goals with limited playing time this season but not good enough to overlook such a negative attitude. Kudos to Kings GM Dave Taylor for realizing it.

The spring in general certainly hasn't been good to Toronto sports fans.

While most are mourning the fate of their beloved Leafs, they are also dealing with the fact the Raptors won't offer them any playoff excitement, once again.

Is it a surprise? Not really, if you consider former general manager Rob Babcock virtually guaranteed his squad would miss the playoffs before the season even started (there's some optimism for you).

But not to worry, Raptors fans. There is good news.

Not only did the ownership finally rid themselves of Babcock and pick up a former executive of the year in Bryan Colangelo. Chris Bosh, before his injury, proved he can carry the load in Toronto and quite possibly could be the superstar Raptors fans have been longing for read: not quite as egotistical and selfish as one Vince Carter. And Mike James, if they can keep him for next season, had a breakout year.

Before they lost Bosh for the season, the Raptors finally had confidence and were poised to go on a run, although it was already too late for the playoffs. The fact they've fallen off the last few weeks shouldn't be of too much concern. If the Phoenix Suns lost Steve Nash or the Cleveland Cavaliers lost LeBron James, it would be the same story.

There are plenty of reasons for optimism next season, finally.

It's still very early in the baseball season, but the lack of playoff hockey and basketball in Toronto could be great news for the team who deserves a lot more attention.

The Toronto Blue Jays have a much-anticipated new look this year, and so far, it's been paying off. Just 12 games into the regular season, these Jays are quite obviously a different team, both on the field and at the plate.

Vernon Wells, who was notorious for his slow starts to the season, has a 12-game hitting streak on the go, while youngster Alex Rios is finally proving his worth on both ends. New additions Troy Glauss, Bengie Molina and Lye Overbay have given the Jays something they haven't had in years confidence.

The Jays won a game 13-6 over the defending-champion Chicago White Sox on Friday. 13-6. An offensive score nearly unheard of in Toronto in recent years.

Now all they need is consistent and healthy pitching.